Travis Kelce has opened up about how Taylor Swift, his Grammy-winning girlfriend, has been a source of encouragement during a season where retirement rumors have swirled. Despite contemplating retirement, Kelce noted Swift’s positive influence in motivating him to keep pushing forward.
“She’s fully encouraging me to enjoy playing this game,” Kelce told the Stephen A. Smith Show.
“She loves coming to Arrowhead [Stadium] and coming to the games and cheering for me, so I got all the support in the world to keep chasing these dreams.
Related:
“I love everything that I’m doing … but at the end of the day, I’m not having that extreme success on the field.”
A challenging season for Kelce
Kelce‘s 2024 season saw a dip in his usual production, with 97 receptions for 823 yards and three touchdowns-his lowest yardage and touchdown totals in his 12-year career.
However, his consistent excellence earned him a 10th consecutive Pro Bowl selection, cementing his place among the league’s all-time greats.
Former Chiefs legend Tony Gonzalez still holds the record for Pro Bowl appearances by a tight end with 14, leaving Kelce with a milestone to chase should he extend his career.
Reflecting on his performance, Kelce acknowledged the mental tug-of-war he faces every offseason.
“I’m excited for these next couple of games to finish this season off,” he said. “I’ll reevaluate it like I always do [and] I’ll probably tell myself how much I love this thing and I’ll come back next year.”
The Chiefs enter Saturday’s matchup against the Texans as the AFC’s top seed, boasting a stellar 15-2 record. A win would secure them a place in the AFC Championship Game, where they could face either the Buffalo Bills, led by MVP candidate Josh Allen, or the Baltimore Ravens, powered by fellow MVP contender Lamar Jackson.
Kelce remains focused on helping his team pursue another Super Bowl, but he’s also mindful of his role.
“[Retiring is] just something that you have to keep into perspective, and I never want to get to the point where I’m not helping this team win or I’m hurting this team more than I’m helping this team,” he said.
